HPV jab could roll out to over-18s

In February, the DoH has updated the Joint Committee on Immunisation and Vaccination (JCVI) on how it is dealing with the implementation of the HPV programme.

The DoH told the JCVI that it ‘will provide guidance to PCTs and GPs on the vaccination of women aged 18 and over in due course'.

A spokeswoman for the DoH confirmed that it was considering plans to introduce the vaccine for women aged 18 and over, but that it was too early to say whether it would go ahead and what role GPs would play.

Discussions are also taking place in Scotland as to whether or not the jab should be given to women up to 25.

Shona Robison, public health minister for Scotland, said that the vaccine could offer some benefit to older women, especially those who have had limited exposure to HPV through sexual contact.